Bundle up, again, as the deep freeze continues into the new year. A reminder that The News office will be open as usual at 8:30 a.m. January 2 as we begin our 126th year of serving the community, and providing weather updates.

A Christmas Eve accident has claimed the life of a man who was killed while driving a snowmobile on the Long Sault Parkway in Ingleside.
The accident occurred at about 5 p.m. when the driver stuck an object and lost control of the snowmobile, reports the Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry Ontario Provincial Police detachment.
The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.

Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) will be completely smoke-free starting January 1, 2018. Individuals can no longer smoke anywhere on hospital property, including in vehicles in our parking lots.

"WDMH is committed to building healthier communities and to fostering a safe, healthy workplace," explains Cholly Boland, CEO.

All Ontario hospitals must comply with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and the Electronic Cigarettes Act which ban smoking on all hospital properties. The new rules apply to the smoking of tobacco, medical marijuana and e-cigarettes (smoking/vaping). Everyone is required to leave hospital property to smoke. As well, smoking is not permitted within 60 feet of the public school, playground or sports field.

WDMH provides support to patient and staff who wish to quit smoking. Smoking cessation programs are also offered through family physicians and the Eastern Ontario Health Unit. Visit MyQuit.ca for more information.

The local public health unit is responsible for enforcing the law and carries out inspections and responds to smoking complaints. Individuals can be fined up to $1,000 for a first offence. The hospital can also be fined, up to $100,000, for a first offence.

If you would like to provide comments or suggestions about hospital services, please contact Cholly Boland, President and CEO, Winchester District Memorial Hospital at 613-774-1049 or by email at cboland@wdmh.on.ca

Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MPP Grant Crack congratulates Stephanie Jaworski and Ron Brennan after the owners of the Old 4th Hop Yard in Williamstown were recognized with an innovation award.

As a certified organic hop producer, Ron Brennan understands the importance of keeping detailed records. That's why the owner of Old 4th Hop Yard is developing Hop Logger: a mobile app designed to efficiently track field activities. Instead of using pen and paper, Brennan can now use his smartphone to collect data directly from the field. Whether it's storing essential records for an upcoming inspection, logging soil and water test results, uploading photos from the field or analyzing historical data to better plan for the upcoming season, the time-saving app is a simple, all-in-one data depository. Designed for all producers, regardless of size, Hop Logger may soon become as commonplace in the hop yard as coir twine and bale bags.

The Glengarry News immediately requires a graphic artist to work in our production department.

The ideal candidate must have an ability to work in a fast-paced environment;
-- meet weekly deadlines
-- have a knowledge of QuarkXpress, or the equivalent, Photoshop and Illustrator
-- ability to follow instructions and to work as a team member
-- communicate clearly with customers
-- possess excellent typing and spelling skills
-- must be bilingual.

The chosen candidate will work between 30 and 35 hours per week, from date of hire to May 4.

A section of Highway 401 remains closed following a multiple vehicle collision on Highway 401 between Prescott and Highway 416.

Preliminary investigation has indicated that two transport trailers and three vehicles were travelling eastbound on Highway 401 when the collision occurred.

Two individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene. Three individuals have been transported to the hospital by ambulance and one individual by air ambulance with serious and life-threatening injuries.

The identity of the deceased is being held pending notification of next of kin.

A 60-year-old male from Brossard, Quebec was arrested for dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and dangerous operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm.

Highway 401 eastbound is closed until further notice.

Highway 401 westbound remains closed from an earlier collision on November 27 at approximately 3:50 p.m. involving two other transport trailers.

The Ontario Provincial Police Technical Collision Investigator is assisting with the investigation.

Anyone with information on the above occurrence is asked to call Grenville County O.P.P. Communication Centre at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-(TIPS) 8477. Crime Stoppers does not want your name, you don't go to court, and you could earn a cash reward.

The driver of this car was injured when the southbound vehicle collided with a piece of farm machinery on the east shoulder of County Road 34 south of MacCrimmon Friday afternoon. At the time this photo had been taken, paramedics had not yet arrived to tend to the driver.